Positive response to Croydon remodelling
NETWORK Rail says it has received a strong response to its proposals to remodel East Croydon station with flyovers and dive-unders.
To eliminate conflicting movements at the busy Brighton Main Line station, Network Rail proposes to rebuild the station with two extra platforms (from six to eight) and a larger concourse. Better connections with the town centre will also be made.
Because high-rise buildings on both sides prevent expansion, the station will be moved around 100 metres north and rebuilt in two phases.
The Selhurst triangle will be provided with grade-separated junctions, with six new viaducts, bridges and dive-unders proposed. Major work would be completed in phases, with structures constructed off-site and lifted into place.
Windmill Bridge north of East Croydon station will be rebuilt and widened to increase the number of tracks from five to eight.
Major works are also planned for Norwood Junction station and surrounds, with track layout modified to provide through tracks on non-platform lines as well as dedicated and lengthened island platforms for north and southbound trains able to accommodate 12-car trains.
Two new footbridges - one with lifts - will be provided, and the signalling system upgraded to allow signallers to recover the service more quickly when delays occur.
NR’s Southern Region Managing Director John Halsall said: “I’m really pleased to see we’ve already had a strong response to the public consultation and encourage both Brighton Main Line passengers and communities along the line of route to give us their feedback.
“These proposals are critical as they are the only way to deliver a combination of more reliable, more frequent and faster services for passengers on the Brighton Main Line and its branches.”
Croydon South MP Chris Philp added: “Fixing the Croydon bottleneck is an incredibly important project that will not just benefit the people of Croydon, it will affect a significant part of the Brighton Main Line. It’s so important that the views of residents are heard on this crucial project and I urge as many people as possible to take part.”
The public consultation closes at 1159 on September 20. For more information, visit networkrail. co.uk/Croydon.